Columbia/Hellam/Wrightsville SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
REACHING MORE THAN 6,480 HOMES
Take Your Shot at the Elks Hoop Shoot BY CAT SHANNON
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JUNE 11, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
Carrigan Price at this year’s Elks Hoop Shoot National Finals
Youths ages 8 to 13 are invited to participate in the competition, which is divided into six divisions: girls and boys ages 8 and 9, 10 and 11 and 12 and 13. Participants attempt 25 free-throw
Support a local nonprofit, enjoy beautiful surroundings and get some exercise all at the same time by participating in the Hope Within Ministries’ Let Your Light Shine 5K Walk/ Run. The event will be held on
shots, and the highest scorers in each division advance to the next level. First-place winners from the local competition are eligible to proceed to the district competition on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in See Hoop pg 2
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Shine Bright at Hope Within 5K BY CAT SHANNON
Saturday, July 19, beginning at 8 a.m. at Stone Gables Estate, 1 Hollinger Lane, Elizabethtown. “The idea came about as a means to represent what Hope Within Ministries is - a health care, dental and counseling center,” said Laurie Reichert, director of development for the See 5K pg 2
2024 MS FitEffect participants and trainers with program director Mark Mueller (far right)
MS FitEffect Puts Strength Into Motion explained. “We have sessions there are no two people who available Monday through Sat- share the same set of symptoms urday in the morning, afternoon at the same intensities with the and some evenings. It is based same presentation of symptoms.” While specifics vary for each on the participant’s and trainer’s participant, the program focuses availability.” on strength, stamina and stability for all sessions. “ We use a combination of “We meet each stretching, relaxation techniques, participant where they weight training, cardiovascular training, balance and gait training are at and move them and functional training,” Mark forward from there.” said. “We meet each participant where they are at and move them forward from there. We focus on As Mark shared, MS FitEffect is helping them achieve a better qualpersonalized. ity of life by working with them on “The program is different for activities of daily living that have everyone, as the trainer cus- become difficult for them.” tom-designs the program for the MS FitEffect is open to anyone particular participant,” he stated. with MS or any demyelinating “MS is different for everyone; disease.
The historic Star Barn will be one of the sights to see along the route of Hope Within Ministries’ Let Your Light Shine 5K.
In your mailbox & online ETN
M
ark Mueller and his wife, Jackie, took a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and turned it into an opportunity to help others. Jackie was diagnosed with MS in 1998, and the couple sought to treat the disease as naturally as possible, without medication. They experimented with nutrition and exercise to see what worked and what didn’t, and their research led to MS FitEffect, a free, 10-week program for people with MS. The next session will run from Saturday, Sept. 6, through Saturday, Nov. 15, at Elizabethtown Fitness Club, 626 S. Market St. “Each participant selects a time with their trainer for their private one-hour weekly session,” Mark
A World of Wonder Awaits Inside the Bookmobile
BY JEFF FALK
It ’s more than books on wheels. The Library System of Lancaster County’s (LSLC) bookmobile delivers knowledge, creativity, inspiration and joy. The bookmobile is kind of like a food truck serving up nourishment for the mind and soul. “Reading in general is very important,” said Audrey Lilley, the bookmobile’s driver, curator and full-time coordinator. “It’s important for kids to be reading. It’s important for them to
See MS FitEffect pg 5
be able to pick up a book and see characters who look like them. Reading can be inspirational, and with retirees, it kind of comes full circle. I think retirees can find comfort in reading. For all people in between, it’s a way to relax and unwind.” W h e n n o t o n t h e g o to multiple locations all across Lancaster County, Lilley parks the bookmobile at LSLC’s main office at 1866 Colonial Village Lane, Suite 107, Lancaster. The bookmobile is a 22-foot-long box truck with a single entrance
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Art Will Fill Locust Street Park BY CAT SHANNON
See Bookmobile pg 3
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Stroll through a pop-up art experience when Create Columbia hosts Art in the Park. The event will be held in Locust Street Park, 550 Locust St., Columbia, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27. Local and regional artists will showcase their work for sale in a variety of styles. “We currently have scheduled 15 to 20 artists of all different mediums,” shared Kim Morrow, secretary of Create Columbia. “A few unusual examples of note are The Lloyd Mifflin Society photographic prints. These are large-format images created from the original glass negatives of this significant artist and poet of Columbia.”
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Art in the Park will feature limited-edition
The congregation at St. James Lutheran Church might be small, but that doesn’t stop them from making a big impact on the community. They routinely support organizations and groups in the area, and they hold events that are open to the public. They will host a Gospel Sing on Sunday, Oct. 5, from 3 to 4 p.m. at the church, 655 S. 10th St., Columbia. The event will spotlight Ben Ninmann on piano. Originally from Virg inia’s B lue Ridge Mountains, Ninmann has also lived in North Carolina, Long Island and Michigan before making L ancaster his home nearly 40 years ago. He has spent the past decade playing at St. James Lutheran Church. Beyond that, he performs with The Maxwell Project and 3 Hour Tour and also serves as the resident pianist at the Greenfield Restaurant. Leo Barninger will serve as master of ceremonies, and Jetty Gerfin will lead the songs. Ninmann will be featured in three solo songs at the Gospel Sing. “This is our second year of doing the Gospel Sing,” said Darlene Brown, a member of the church’s outreach committee. “There was such a great turnout last year, we decided to do it again. All are welcome!” The Gospel Sing is one way the church works to connect with the greater community. What happens in Columbia and the surrounding area is just as important to the church members as what goes on inside the sanctuary, Brown noted.
See Art pg 3 photographic Lloyd Mifflin prints from Garth Art.
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See Gospel pg 5
Pumpkins
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C WM
BY CAT SHANNON
All Are Invited to a Gospel Sing BY CAT SHANNON
he Elks Hoop Shoot isn’t just about sink ing free throws. It’s about building grit, confidence and determination, with the unique chance for kids to land in the Basketball Hall of Fame. “Gritty kids are determined hard workers,” said Valerie Kissinger, Hoop Shoot lodge director for the Columbia-Middletown Lodge 1074. “Gritty kids become gritty adults with strong work ethics and goal-setting skills. … The Hoop Shoot can offer similar life lessons as other sports programs, but what other program offers kids the chance to be in the Hall of Fame?” The annual Columbia-Middletown Elks 1074 Hoop Shoot will be held on Sunday, Nov. 9, in the gym of Columbia High School, 901 Ironville Pike, Columbia. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m., and the contest will begin at 12:30 p.m.
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VOL LXVI • NO 30
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SEPTEMBER 24, 2025